The Hype is Cooling. The Work is Just Beginning. Let’s address the elephant in the room: Yes, there’s a lot of talk about the “AI bubble.” You’ve seen the headlines, the stock fluctuations, the tech layoffs. And if you’re like most business managers I talk to here in Vero Beach, you’re probably feeling a strange mix of AI fatigue and …
Ready to take your business to the next level? While our new workshop format offers incredible value and personalized attention, there’s an even more powerful option available for those who want to go above and beyond. One-on-One Sessions with Stacy Cook If you’re serious about transforming your business and want completely customized guidance, individual sessions with Stacy Cook are the …
As we step into 2026, it’s time to leave behind what’s no longer serving us and embrace the strategies that will help us thrive. Here’s what’s in and what’s out for savvy business managers this year: OUT: Working harder / IN: Working smarter Gone are the days of wearing exhaustion as a badge of honor. In 2026, we’re prioritizing efficiency …
We’re thrilled to announce a major shift in how we’ll be supporting our Vero Vine business managers in the coming year. After listening to your feedback and observing what works best for our community, we’re transforming our approach to AI automation education. From Classes to Personalized Workshops Starting in 2026, our newsletter will feature a brand-new workshop format led by …
How to stretch your event budget without sacrificing quality, lessons from the trenches Every event manager has been there: staring at a spreadsheet where the numbers simply don’t add up, wondering where another thousand dollars will materialize from, or worse, explaining to stakeholders why the event they envisioned costs twice what they budgeted. The truth is, the most successful event …
There’s a moment in every seasoned event manager’s career when you realize you’re no longer just executing someone else’s vision, you’re shaping it. Yet many of us stay trapped in order-taker mode, nodding along to client requests we know won’t work, pricing ourselves as task-completers rather than strategic partners. The difference between a planner and a consultant isn’t just semantic. …
Many event managers struggle with pricing, caught between the fear of losing clients and the reality of rising costs and growing expertise. It’s a common scenario: you’re booked solid, working 60-hour weeks, but your profit margins haven’t improved because you haven’t adjusted your rates in years. Here’s the truth: raising your rates isn’t just okay, it’s essential for building a …
As December winds down, event managers have a unique opportunity to reflect on the past year’s successes and challenges while strategically positioning themselves for an even stronger 2026. This comprehensive guide will help you evaluate your 2025 performance and build a data-driven strategy for the year ahead. Part 1: Reviewing Your 2025 Performance Financial Analysis Budget Performance Review Start by …
December is weird. Half your team is mentally checked out, planning their holiday travel. The other half is in panic mode trying to close deals and finish projects before everything shuts down. You’re somewhere in between, trying to keep things running while also knowing that nothing major is going to happen in the next few weeks. But here’s what most …
Let’s be honest, nobody wants to plan another holiday party. You’ve got year-end reviews to complete, budgets to finalize, and an inbox that’s already spiraling out of control. But here you are, responsible for pulling together the company holiday celebration, client appreciation event, or team year-end gathering that everyone will either love or complain about for months. Here’s the thing, …